Pennsylvania Piloted Sexual Assault Evidence System
The state launched a tracking platform in August 2026 to monitor the testing status of evidence kits.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Pennsylvania began piloting the Track-Kit evidence tracking system in August 2026 across Erie, Lancaster, and York counties. The program aims to improve accountability and increase survivor autonomy by monitoring the status of sexual assault kits.
Why it matters
The initiative seeks to identify delays in evidence processing and provide victims with transparency. It aims to prevent the accumulation of backlogged kits that previously left thousands of cases stagnant.
The pilot program involves 12 hospitals and 64 law enforcement agencies utilizing barcodes for tracking. The state secured a $2.5 million federal grant in 2025 to develop the system, which currently excludes criminal proceedings from its scope.
The players
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
This state agency is responsible for overseeing the implementation and pilot of the Track-Kit evidence management platform.
The details
The platform requires hospitals to record kit collection and survivor consent, while law enforcement and labs log kit transfers to track physical movement. Survivors receive automated notifications and have access to a 24-hour helpline throughout the process.
Timeline
2015: 1,852 backlogged sexual assault kits were reported in Pennsylvania.
2024: Legislation authorizing the creation of the tracking system was enacted.
2025: The state secured a $2.5 million federal grant to support system design.
August 2026: Pennsylvania began piloting the Track-Kit system in select counties.
End of 2026: The state plans to expand the tracking system statewide.
Legal Context
The implementation follows a legislative mandate established in 2024 to address long-standing issues with evidence processing. This pilot moves the state toward a standardized digital model similar to systems currently in use by 17 other states.
The tracking system provides victims with real-time visibility into the status of their evidence kits via automated notifications. Residents in participating counties can now access a dedicated 24-hour helpline for support and information regarding the testing process.
The takeaway
The implementation of Track-Kit marks a shift toward transparency in the handling of forensic evidence. By replacing manual tracking with a barcode-based system, the state aims to ensure that evidence testing timelines are strictly monitored and visible to survivors.
What happens next
The state has scheduled the expansion of the tracking system for statewide implementation by the end of 2026, while the inventory of unsubmitted and partially-tested kits is expected to continue through early 2028.
Further reading
For more information on state efforts to manage evidence processing, visit Pennsylvania Sex Crimes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by StateScoop.
